Cash Tribute Touches the Real ‘Man in Black’

The consistent integrity of Johnny Cash’s music over nearly 50 years makes Sunday’s all-star tribute to the Man in Black on TNT far more genuinely touching than the usual glad-handing TV musical special.

From Chris Isaak’s affable takes on two early Cash tunes to Willie Nelson’s gorgeous rendering of Cash’s exquisite love song “I Still Miss Someone” to the Mavericks’ unadorned rendition of his credo-defining “Man in Black,” song choices and performance level are uniformly high.

Others in the two-hour show, taped April 6 in New York, include Emmylou Harris, June Carter Cash, Lyle Lovett, Kris Kristofferson, Sheryl Crow and Brooks and Dunn, while Bob Dylan, U2 and Bruce Springsteen weigh in via tape and satellite.

Wyclef Jean interjects a brief but to-the-point rap saluting Cash in his straight country reading of the tragic ballad “Delia’s Gone.”

Later, Marty Stuart and the Fairfield Four gospel group sing “Belshazzer,” an early Cash gospel tune. They shift gloriously between temporal rockabilly verses and spiritual gospel choruses.

Cash himself appears at the end. The toll a Parkinson’s-related neurological disorder has taken on him is evident, but so is his strength in the face of adversity. His first public performance since illness forced him to quit touring 19 months ago makes for an uncommonly moving finale.

Not surprisingly, the music speaks more powerfully than testimonials from show host Jon Voight and such guests as Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon. If anyone warrants such gravely intoned accolades, it’s Cash; still, they often seem at odds with the absolute humility that’s also marked his long, rewarding career.

* “An All-Star Tribute to Johnny Cash” will be broadcast at 8 p.m. Sunday on TNT.